Encounter Extended

“Juri… Juri, wake up.”

She was warm, comfortable. In the back of her mind, she knew she was in the half-state between waking and sleeping; today, she did not care to fall to one side or the other. The faint aroma of coffee and old books hung in the air, making her mind dance with fleeting visions of breakfast and bright, intense eyes. For once, sleep was a peaceful, unhurried thing.

And then it broke.

“Juri, you’re sleeping on my coat.”

At the feeling of fingers on her temple, brushing back her hair, Juri jerked forward and awake. “What time is it?”

“Ten-thirty, but it’s Sa-”

“Ten-thirty?! I’m late! I’m so late! Where are my shoes?”

“Juri–”

Jumping to her feet, she scrambled blindly around the apartment, searching for her missing footwear and finding it by the door. Shoving her feet unceremoniously into the leather boots, she was off at a run to the bathroom before her brain could process the motion or her fingers could pull the zippers closed about her ankles. Her eyes were plastered to the mirror as soon as she entered the washroom.

Her hair was mussed, tangled, and like always her brush was not where it should be. Hands began to work their way through the mess on her head, tying it into an acceptable ponytail. Gazing at her face, the bags under her eyes made her look like she had suffered a punch to the face. The contacts she wore felt dry, but when she opened the medicine cabinet there was noth–

…Since when did she have a medicine cabinet?

…Or a red bathroom?

…Or twin black marble sinks?

“Awake now?”

Eyes snapped up to take in the amused expression that reflected in the mirror. He stood behind her and just to the side, and for once she noticed their subtle height difference. It was only a few inches, but suddenly it seemed as though he towered above her.

She had fallen asleep. Here. At his apartment. Taking care of his daughter.

His daughter. A daughter meant there was a mother involved. She did not know why this fact bothered her, but somehow it did and she suddenly found herself once again fidgeting beneath his scrutiny.

Closing her eyes tightly against the sight in the mirror, she took a deep breath and turned to face him. “I’m sorry for intruding. I meant to leave after her fever went down, but I was so tired, so I thought if I just relaxed for a few moments–”

He shook his head gently, cutting off her words. “No need to apologize. I think that’s the first time I’ve slept myself in three weeks, and it’s thanks to you.” Juri felt a blush heat her cheeks. Abruptly, she brushed past him.

“I-I should go. I’ve already missed two classes, but I can still make the third–”

“It’s Saturday.”

“–cl–What?” She halted mid-step.

“It’s Saturday, Juri.”

“…Oh.” Imagine that.

Silence settled between them. Juri found herself frozen to the floor, unsure of what to do.

“Would you like some breakfast? Mari claims I make the ‘best pancakes ever’.”

“…I-I really should–”

“Juri,” His voice lowered, eyes narrowing. The skin at the back of her neck tingled, telling her it was not a request, “have breakfast.”

A fidget was her only answer.

~ by eeratka on November 30, 2007.